By Our Special Correspondent
Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday launched the 'Pudhumai Pen' (Modern Woman) scheme, which provides Rs 1,000 per month to all girls who have studied in government schools from class 6 to 12 for pursuing higher education.
Along with Stalin, his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated 26 Schools of Excellence and 15 Model Schools at a function at Bharati Women's College, Chennai. While Kejriwal praised Stalin for replicating the Delhi school model within six months and his other initiatives in the education sector, Stalin hailed the Delhi CM as a 'fighter'.
“Kejriwal left the Indian Revenue Service and entered public life to serve the people. He became the CM of Delhi by his hard work. Recently, his party won in Punjab as well. Everyone in the country is watching him closely," said the DMK leader.
Stalin said that money will be transferred directly to the students' bank accounts under the Pudumai Pen scheme so that they do not face any difficulties in their studies. “This scheme will reduce child marriage and empower women.
There is no need to tolerate anything that disturbs their self-respect. This scheme will empower women and increase the educational scenario of the state and the number of eligible people,” said the CM.
It is aimed to benefit six lakh girls every year through this scheme and Rs.698 crore has been allocated in the budget for its implementation.
Stalin said that after his government came to power, keeping in view the changing needs, the Moovalur Ramamritham Ammayyar Marriage Assistance Scheme was converted into the Moovalur Ramamritham Ammayyar High Education Assurance Scheme and now implemented as the Pudumai Pen Scheme for the benefit of economically backward families. Due to financial difficulties, they are able to send their daughters to colleges.
Stalin said that Rs 25 crore is being allocated for the construction of new classrooms and infrastructure for Bharati Mahila College.
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